Harrison chosen to head Newark Museum

Linda Harrison begins her tenure at the helm of Newark Museum in January. - (NEWARK MUSEUM)

Linda Harrison has been named the new director and chief executive officer for the Newark Museum, effective January.

The Board of Trustees for the state’s largest museum announced Harrison as its eighth director Friday. She has served as the director and CEO of the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco since 2013.

Harrison succeeds Steven Kern, who vacated the position in 2017. Since Kern left his post the museum has been led by Interim Co-Directors Deborah Kasindorf and Ulysses Grant Dietz.

National executive recruitment firm Isaacson Miller — which also conducted the search for a new director of The Newark Public Library in 2016 — assisted the board in its efforts to fill the position.

“I’m thrilled to join the Newark Museum family to implement a bold transformation/agenda that lock steps with the city of Newark’s revitalization of the downtown district,” said Harrison. “The museum will be the city’s hub, where art, science, race and culture will ignite compassionate conversations.

“I’m looking forward to forging dynamic partnerships with the business, civic and cultural organizations that will make us a destination city for arts, education and entertainment. I’m committed to creating a culture of access and inclusion, activating the beautiful buildings, collections and grounds of the museum.”

Harrison, a Getty Foundation Executive Leadership Institute Fellow, previously served as vice president for Eastman Kodak and founded two businesses in San Francisco.